Slider for actuating profiled shapes with stiffening bars

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a slider for actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for a closure assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks, and means adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure shapes, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along the profiled shapes, for moving the profiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open separated position. 
     It is remarkable in that along the longitudinal free edge of each flank extends a stiffening bar, of a greater thickness than that of said flank.

The present invention relates to the field of sachets provided withcomplementary profiled closure shapes, actuated by a slider.

It relates more precisely to a slider for actuating profiled closureshapes for a closure assembly equipping a sachet.

Numerous sachets with complementary profiled closure shapes equippedwith sliders have already been proposed.

The attached FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a slider 1 in keeping withthe prior art.

In this figure, the profiled shapes with which the slider is supposed tocooperate have been illustrated and bear the reference P₁ and P₂,whereas the sachet with which these profiled shapes are associated isreferenced S.

Such a slider 1 is made of moulded plastic material and has a generallyknown structure.

More precisely, this slider has a cross-section in an inverse “U” shape,and comprises a base 10 to which are connected two lateral and parallelwings 11 and 12 known as “flanks”. The longitudinal axis of the slidercorresponds to its direction of movement when it is installed on asachet with complementary profiled shapes. The flanks 11 and 12 extendparallel to this axis.

As is well known per se, the internal space of the slider encloses means13 adapted for stressing the complementary profiled closure shapes P₁and P₂ of the sachet, by moving towards or moving away according to thedirection of displacement of the slider along these profiled shapes. Theexpression “internal space” means the space delimited by the base 10 andthe flanks 11 and 12.

Such a slider must be placed on a sachet S whereof the two sails areprovided with complementary profiled closure shapes P₁ and P₂.

The technique generally utilised to achieve this consists overall indeforming the slider so as to momentarily move its flanks 11 and 12 awayfrom one another (arrow f of FIG. 1), moving the profiled shapes closerto “cinch” the latter and trap the protuberances T₁ and T₂ with whichthey are provided, then return the flanks to their initial position(arrows g of FIG. 1).

This displacement of the flanks is implemented for example byintroducing tools “inside” the slider, applying them against the innerfaces of the flanks and moving them away mutually.

Particularly due to the slight thickness of the wall which makes up theflanks, it is noted that the latter do not deform uniformly, but theyhave a tendency to assume an arched position in the longitudinal and/ortransversal direction. This makes it more difficult to place theprofiled shapes.

It is understood that transmission of forces applied by the tools is notfully given over to moving the flanks apart, part of the latter beingaccidentally “wasted” and dedicated to their deformation in an archedposition.

The aim of the present invention is to resolve this problem by proposinga slider whereof the flanks can be moved apart from one another without“parasitic” deformation of their wall.

The present invention accordingly relates to a slider for actuatingprofiled closure shapes, especially for a closure assembly equipping asachet, comprising a base, two flanks, and means adapted for stressingrespectively said profiled closure shapes, by moving towards or movingaway in the direction of displacement of the slider along profiledshapes, for moving the profiled shapes between a closed latch positionand an open separated position.

This slider is remarkable in that, along the longitudinal free edge ofeach flank extends a stiffening bar, of a greater thickness than that ofsaid flank.

The presence of this bar on each flank imparts substantial rigidity tothe assembly thereof, such that when it is subjected to forces liable todisplace it relative to its normal position, all the forces applied arededicated to this operation.

According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of thisslider:

-   -   said bar extends over the external face of each flank;    -   said bar has a constant thickness and the bar thickness/flank        ratio is between 1.5 and 2.5;    -   said bar is made of a single piece with the associated flank;    -   said bar has the same longitudinal range as said flank;    -   it comprises projecting load pins on said flanks, in the        vicinity of the end of those opposite said base, for opening it        provisionally and enabling its engagement on said profiled        shapes when stress is exerted on said pins;    -   the means adapted to stress respectively said profiled closure        shapes, by moving towards or moving away in the direction of        displacement of the slider along the profiled shapes, to move        the profiled shapes between a latched closure position and an        open separated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which        subdivides at least part of its inner space into two corridors,        this groove extending by a base which overflows on either side        of said groove to constitute guide facets of a protuberance        associated with said profiled shapes.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge fromthe following detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

This description will be given in reference to the attached diagrams, inwhich:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slider according to the invention,presented in reversed position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the slider of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the slider of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the slider of FIG. 2, according to a directionopposite that of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views equivalent to those in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flanksbeing illustrated in a spread position;

FIG. 8 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2, the flanks being illustrated in aspread position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3, the flanks being illustrated in aspread position;

FIG. 10 is a view of the slider according to the invention, inperspective.

The slider of the invention overall has a structure known per se, closeto that of FIG. 1.

As with this known slider, the slider according to the invention has across-section in an inverse “U” shape, with a base 10 to which areattached two lateral and parallel wings (or flanks) 11 and 12.

In FIG. 2, it is presented in a position opposite to the one it occupieswhen it is in place on a sachet.

The internal space of the slider encloses means adapted for stressingcomplementary profiled closure shapes of a sachet (marked respectivelyP₁, P₂ and S in FIG. 1), by moving towards or moving away according tothe direction of displacement of the slider along these profiled shapes.The expression “internal space” means the space delimited by the base 10and the flanks 11 and 12.

In this case, these means comprise a longitudinal groove 13 whichextends according to the median longitudinal plane of the slider.

This groove 13, originating from material with the inner face of thebase 10, separates the internal space into two corridors C₁ and C₂.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 5, the groove extendsdownwards via an elongated central base 14 which overflows on eitherside of the groove 13 to constitute guide facets of a protuberance T₁,T₂ (see

FIG. 1), here in the form of a point of an arrow, situated above anassociated profiled closure shape P₁, P₂. Each facet is turned to thebase 10. “Protuberance” denotes any means associated with thecorresponding profiled shape, which allows the slider to cooperate withthe sachet.

This base 14 comprises a first “wide” part 140, in the general form ofan iron base to be smoothed (that is, overall triangular when viewedfrom above), which is prolonged by a narrower part 141.

Also, opposite the two parts 140 and 141 of the base 14, the inner facesof the flanks 11 and 12 each bear a projection 112, 122, respectively113, 123, which is also provided with a guide facet of a protuberance.

The corridors C₁ and C₂ are therefore delimited by the base 10, thegroove 13 and its associated base 14, the inner faces of the flanks 11and 12 and their associated projections. In other terms, the corridorsC₁ and C₂ have the form of throats with convergent edges.

As is evident from FIGS. 2 and 8, the corridors C₁ and C₂ extend onlyover part of the longitudinal range of the slider, in this case neareach of its opposite ends.

According to the invention, along the longitudinal free rim of eachflank 11 and 12 extends a stiffening bar 110, respectively 120, of agreater thickness than the remaining part of the flank, projecting tothe outside of the slider.

This bar advantageously has a constant thickness and the thicknessflank/bar ratio is preferably between 1.5 and 2.5.

To the extent where the slider is advantageously a piece made of plasticmaterial produced by injection moulding, the bars are preferably made ofa single piece with the latter. However, it is possible to employclick-on bars on the slider.

In the example shown here, each bar 110 and 120 has on its free face,opposite the base 10, a keying finger 111, respectively 121.

In an embodiment which is not shown here, the slider could have thegeneral structure described in French Patent application No. 07 59545(publication: FR-A-2 924 312), in which load pins are provided in theextension of the flanks 11 and 12.

In the figures, it is evident that the opposite ends of the sliderconform to arches 15, of a thickness greater than the rest of its body.

In an attempt to deform the slider according to the invention, in orderto place profiled shapes such as those P₁ and P₂ of FIG. 1, the flanks11 and 12 are moved apart from one another, for example by exerting aforce on their inner face, as shown by arrows f of FIG. 8. This allowsthe corridors C₁ and C₂ to be “opened” and enables placing of theprofiled shapes.

Once this operation is done, the force is stopped and the flanksnaturally regain their initial position.

This force is applied most closely to the free end of the flanks toproduce the biggest possible lever arm.

The presence of the bars 110 and 120 results in overall rigidity of theflanks 11 and 12, such that their displacement tends to move them apartwithout “parasitic” deformation which would impart an arched shape.

Of course, the slider “folds” in those zones where there is leastmaterial. These “fold zones” correspond to the regions of the base 10deprived of material outgrowth.

These zones are marked X-X′ in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 8.

1. A slider for actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for aclosure assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks, andmeans adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure shapes,by moving towards or moving away according to the direction ofdisplacement of the slider along the profiled shapes, for moving theprofiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open separatedposition, characterised in that along the longitudinal free edge of eachflank extends a stiffening bar, of a greater thickness than that of saidflank.
 2. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that saidbar extends over the external face of each flank.
 3. The slider asclaimed in claim 1, characterised in that said bar has a constantthickness and in that the bar thickness/flank ratio is between 1.5 and2.5.
 4. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said baris made from a piece with the associated flank.
 5. The slider as claimedin claim 1, characterised in that said bar has the same longitudinalrange as said flank.
 6. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterisedin that it comprises load pins projecting on said flanks, in thevicinity of the end thereof opposite said base, for opening itprovisionally and enabling its engagement on said profiled shapes whenstress is exerted on said pins.
 7. The slider as claimed in claim 1,characterised in that the means adapted to stress respectively saidprofiled closure shapes, by moving towards or moving away in thedirection of displacement of the slider along the profiled shapes, tomove the profiled shapes between a latched closure position and an openseparated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides atleast part of its inner space into two corridors, this groove extendingby a base which overflows on either side of said groove to constituteguide facets of a protuberance associated with said profiled shapes.